BBC launches pre-school channel in PH


By ANIMATION XPRES... | 24 January, 2011 - 10:25

Worldwide Channels will launch its award-winning pre-school English-language channel, CBeebies, on SkyCable. This is the first time that the channel, targeted at preschoolers six and under, will be seen in the Philippines.

SkyCable is the largest pay-TV company in the Philippines. It was established by the Lopez and Central CATV group of companies, and is one of ABS-CBN Corporation’s subsidiaries.

“The inaugural launch of CBeebies in the Philippines is an important one for our long term growth strategy in Asia. Growing our business in the Philippines a priority for us in Asia, and quality programming is a lynchpin to our success. We have acquired a stable of award-winning and acclaimed pre-school titles that are customized to appeal and suit the developmental needs of distinct age groups. CBeebies delivers a safe, non-violent, interactive experience designed by developmental experts to promote imaginative play, social interaction, language skills and educational values,” says Mark Whitehead, senior vice president and general manager of BBC Worldwide Channels Asia.

Some of the top-rated programs on CBeebies include In the Night Garden, a calming live action series from the makers of Teletubbies, which has won ‘Best Pre-School Live Action Series’ at the BAFTA Children’s Awards for consecutive three years. Charlie and Lola, a cartoon animation about two siblings growing up together, has won the BAFTA ‘Best Children’s Television Show’ and ‘Best Script’ while Mister Maker, an arts and crafts program, was nominated for ‘Best Presenter’ at the BAFTA Children's Awards 2009.

Outside of the Philippines, CBeebies is broadcast in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Australia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa and a Hispanic version of the channel is available in the USA.

CBeebies is on SkyCable Channel 126. It is included in the SKYCABLE Platinum — the Metro Pack or can be added individually to the channel line-up of any SkyCable subscription pack through SkyCable Select.